FanPost

52-Man Roster, Take Two




First version, June 19th

Offense: 24

QB, 2: Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo

This does not change. Surprise.

Slot-WR, 3: Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Chris Harper

If Brandon Gibson comes back from the knee injury he could overtake Danny Amendola who has been underwhelming. The Patriots seem to be trying to find a way to get Chris Harper involved and with injuries to both Gibson/Tyms, and with the health of Edelman/Lafell/Dobson, it makes sense to carry another receiving target so Harper, given his good health, gets in.

Perimeter-WR, 2: Brandon Lafell, Aaron Dobson

Brian Tyms is injured and there isn't really another option so they go from 3 to 2. If need be, they can try calling up Matthew Slater from his STs role.

RB between Tackles, 2: LaGarette Blount, Jonas Gray

This doesn't change.

Scatback, 2: James White, Dion Lewis

This does change. Tyler Gaffney's chance to shine has been delayed again. Cadet isn't making the club from the tub. Dion Lewis flashed in blitz-pickup, as a runner, and as a receiver. He might even be better at blitz-pickup than James White. Lewis will get an extended look especially with Blount suspended Week 1 and not counting towards the roster.

Inline-TE, 1: Rob Gronkowski

I still don't want Hooman on this roster. No change. Would like to see more of a look at Cleveland.

Flex-TE, 1: Scott Chandler

Jimmy Mundine had a nice spin move but we need to see more than that.

FB 1: James Develin

No change. No competition.

IOL 4: Bryan Stork, Tre Jackson, Shaq Mason, David Andrews

Ryan Wendell can't make the club from the tub. Meanwhile, David Andrews has had good moments and bad moments though I think they like him enough to carry him as they do tend to always carry at least one rookie UDFA. The 5th IOL spot is up for grabs. Maybe they try moving Fleming inside again.

OT, 4: Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Cameron Fleming

Emergency depth/Special Teams, 2: WR Matthew Slater, RB Brandon Boldin

Defense: 25

LDT/0-2 tech, 2: Sealver Siliga, Malcom Brown

No change here. Both look good.

RDT/3-5 tech, 3: Alan Branch, Dominique Easley, Antonio Johnson

I took Zach Moore out as a lock. While only a 2nd year man he seems definitely behind Antonio Johnson who himself is probably a slight upgrade over Chris Jones who isn't making the club from the tub. Antonio Johnson benefits from being healthy and playing. I could also see them carrying only 4 DTs and relying more on moving edge guys inside, especially if they want to carry 6 corners. This 5th DT spot is one of the tougher to forecast right now.

Edge, 5: Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard, Trey Flowers, Geneo Grissom

Absolutely no change here. Not necessary. Sorry, Rufus Johnson, but it's the Foxboro Flu for you.

LB, 5: Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, James Morris, Jonathan Freeny

Freeny has overtaken Feming for the 5th LB spot. Now, if only he could improve in coverage. Can't wait for Mayo/Hightower to be back.

FS/Cover-2 S, 2: Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon

No change. Harmon got a shot at starting-FS yesterday and proved that he's best served in that niche role.

SS/nickel-LB, 3: Patrick Chung, Jordan Richards, Tavon Wilson

Matthew Wells won't be making the club as a member of the Chicago Bears. It comes down to Tavon Wilson or Nate Ebner. In this instance I'm going with Tavon because he seems to offer more to the team even if he comes at a higher cost than Ebner.

CB, 5: Malcolm Butler, Robert McClain, Darryl Roberts, Tarrell Brown, Bradley Fletcher

I don't know how long Darryl Roberts is out for with the hand/wrist injury. I can see the rook getting the Foxboro Flu while Belichick figures out which 4 of 5 vets he wants to keep. Tarrell Brown if healthy can easily seize a spot. Logan Ryan may have 3rd round draft status to protect him but it didn't help Darius Butler when he was in the same situation.

So who's the 53rd man? Well I can tell ya that Jordan Devey and AJ Derby won't be on the list this time. I removed Gibson from the list because of the injury. Hope he gets healthy even if on reserves.

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